Oscar Mottishaw

Oscar Mottishaw was a member of the gas committee in Extension mine where, on June 15 1912 they reported gas in the mine. The finding forced Canadian Collieries to reduce production, and Mottishaw was denied further work at the mine. Moving on to Cumberland, he was initially hired as a mule driver but then fired for his history as a 'troublemaker'. On September 17th, 1912 his fellow miners organized a protest against his firing. This protest would evolve into the Big Strike of 1912-1914.